JPS587559A - Deciding device for particle agglomeration - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form a stable and clear agglomeration, by a method wherein a hydrophilic film is formed on a bottom surface of a reaction receptacle in which at least a part of the bottom is formed into a slope surface and a convex or concave stages are provided on and in the slope surface. CONSTITUTION:A receptacle 1 for deciding particle aglomeration is constituted and that the bottom surface is formed in a cone, and a plural number of stages is regularly formed in the slope bottom surface of the cone so that the stages are connected in a concentric circle centering around a lowermost part 2. After a sample and a regeant are implanted, they are left statically, and particles of sample liquid settling down on the slope bottom surface form a base layer through the working of the stage part. In the case of the agglomeration reaction, a device is constituted such that a particle layer is further formed thereon. Then, a hydrophilic treating part 31 is mounted to the bottom of the receptacle 1 to form a hydrophilic film, and this permits the formation of a stable and clear agglomeration pattern.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] This relates to a particle agglutination determination device used for determining blood cell particles, and in particular, a device for determining various blood types and detecting antibodies and antigens based on the aggregation pattern of blood cell particles. This invention relates to a particle aggregation determination device that is easy to use.

For example, as a method for determining blood type, conventionally a reaction container with a curved bottom shaped like a wine cup is used, and a 2 to 3% suspension of test blood cells obtained by centrifugation and a specific antiserum are placed in this container. After dispensing a fixed amount, stirring both, let it stand, then perform centrifugation, vibrate the reaction container vigorously to shake off the precipitated blood cells, and then vibrate relatively slowly to remove the aggregated components. There is one that forms an agglomeration pattern by collecting it in the center of the bottom of the container, and detects this photometrically.

This blood type determination method involves vigorously shaking the reaction container after centrifugation to separate the precipitated blood cells from the bottom of the container, and is therefore used to determine the ABO blood type, which has a strong cohesive bond.

In the case of an immunological agglutination reaction with weak binding force, such as when detecting irregular antibodies, antigens, HBS antigens, etc. of a species, the above-mentioned determination method cannot be used.

That is, if the cohesive bonding force is weak, particles such as blood cells that are once bound will separate when the reaction container is vibrated, and will not collect in the center of the reaction container. In order to solve this problem, the applicant has already published JP-A-36-3! ;2
In this specification, a container for determining particle aggregation is proposed that can determine the agglutination pattern even in such an immunological agglutination reaction with a weak binding force. As shown in Fig. 1, this container l for determining particle aggregation has a conical bottom surface, and a regular concentric pattern is formed on the inclined bottom surface of the conical shape with the lowest part (top) λ as the center. After injecting the sample and reagent, a stable base layer is formed for the particles of the test solution that settles on the inclined bottom surface, and in the case of an agglutination reaction, a rough layer is formed on top of the sample and reagent. is configured to form a particle layer.

It is also known to use a microplate in which a large number of such containers for determining particle aggregation are arranged.

In order to stably capture and deposit blood cells to be tested in micron units in reaction containers for determining particle aggregation, it is natural to take some countermeasures, such as adding a step to the bottom of the container with processing precision in micron units. This makes such reaction vessels expensive. Therefore, from the viewpoint of manufacturing and testing costs, it is not possible to discard the determination container. Therefore, after the evaluation is completed, such evaluation containers and Microplate F are soaked in washing water for a long time, washed with a specified detergent, and further cleaned with washing water. It is desirable to dry it in a dryer and use it repeatedly, taking care not to be affected by distortion. Even after careful cleaning and drying of the test container once used for testing, the sloped bottom surface that forms an agglomeration pattern (
1) Completely dry area, (2) Partially dry area,
(3) There are some areas where slight dew condensation remains. In general, even if the test container is thoroughly cleaned and dried, reactions may occur due to environmental changes such as humidity and temperature in the room where the device is used until the sample or reagent is dispensed into the test container. Conditions (1) to (8) described above may occur on the bottom surface of the container. If the condition of the bottom of the evaluation container is not uniform, such as dry or wet, when a sample or reagent containing particles is dispensed onto the bottom of the reaction container, a base layer of particles will form on the sloped bottom of the reaction container. will not be formed uniformly. That is, as shown in FIG. 2(A), the particle suspension liquid is dispensed into the determination container by a dispensing nozzle j that moves up and down in the direction shown by the double arrow above the lowest part 2 of the particle aggregation determination container l. I am doing it. Note that, except for the enlarged view in FIG. 2, the step at the bottom of the determination container is omitted to simplify the drawings. The particle suspension liquid 6 discharged from the dispensing nozzle j is made up of a specified amount of a sample containing test blood cells, etc., and a specified amount of a diluent, which are mixed in advance. This blood cell suspension t is discharged by the dispensing nozzle S into the F-most part of the determination container/, and is first deposited and stored in the step 3F- while scattering around it. Here, Figure 2 (
As shown in B) and (C), it is assumed that the part P of the step t on the inclined bottom is completely dry before dispensing, and the part Q is partially dry before dispensing. At the initial stage of dispensing the blood cell suspension 6, the site P is shown, for example, in FIG. 2), and the site Q is shown, for example, in FIG. 2 (G). That is, when the 1 m sphere floating liquid 6 discharged from the dispensing nozzle S scatters and reaches the part P, the surface of the step ψ is completely dry in this part, so ζ... floating Ill! B does not immediately flow smoothly to the bottom part 2, but becomes lumpy at the part where it forms. Therefore, 7 blood cells in the floating fluid in this area
cannot aggregate uniformly, resulting in a solid agglomeration pattern on the entire bottom surface, forming a thicker substratum than in the pond area. On the other hand, in the part Q, the surface of the step L is not completely dry, so the scattered floating liquid 6 flows down to the bottom part 2 a little more smoothly than in the part P, but the blood cells 7 are not uniformly aggregated. Since it does not reach the bottom surface as a whole, it becomes a solid agglomerated pattern, and the size is fine.

It is not possible to form a uniform base layer on the bottom of the fixed container.

Furthermore, in areas where slightly thin condensation remains on the bottom of the container, the floating liquid flows down more smoothly than in area Q, but as a whole, the base layer that appears on the sloped bottom of the test container is uniform. It will not happen. If a uniform base layer is not formed on the bottom of the container in this way, the base layer will be thick and hard and aggregate with strong cohesive force, and the base layer will be thin and gradually harden and flocculate with weak cohesive force, resulting in the floating liquid Cohesion failure often occurs depending on the components. In particular, it has been experimentally confirmed that, in the case of back-up testing of the ABo blood type determination method, the periphery of the agglutination pattern may turn over or fall off depending on the specimen sample. In addition, the R-PHA method tests for HBs antigen, and the T-PHA method tests for syphilis antibodies.
Even when performing the PHA method, if the amount of HBS antigen or syphilis antibody is small and the aggregation force is weak, and if stirring at the initial stage of the reaction is not sufficient, the periphery of the agglutination pattern tends to collapse. If such agglomeration collapse occurs, a sufficiently clear aggregation pattern cannot be obtained,
There is a drawback that various judgments are difficult.

In addition, if there is even a small amount of residual moisture attached to this judgment container or microplate container, even if the test blood or diluted solution contained in the test solution is accurately weighed and dispensed, the relative There is a drawback that there is a risk that an error may occur in the amount of the test liquid, leading to an incorrect determination of agglutination.

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the various drawbacks mentioned above, and to create a structure in which an aggregation pattern is formed by a stable and clear immunological agglutination reaction with a minute amount of particles, regardless of the strength of the aggregation binding force. Particle 1: To provide an agglomeration determination device.

The present invention provides a particle aggregation determination device for determining a particle aggregation pattern formed by an immunological agglutination reaction. ◇ “This microplate for determining particle aggregation” is an external perspective view showing the microplate F for determining the formation of a uniform film of hydrophilic liquid on the bottom surface of the reaction container before dispensing the sample or reagent into the reaction container. (
In the microplate (hereinafter referred to as microplate) 10, nine horizontal rows and corresponding to each horizontal row, n vertical containers (for example, containers for determining particle aggregation as shown in FIG. 1) are arranged in an IJ rack shape. It is located. This microplate lθ
The container is molded from a material such as acrylic, plastic, or glass so that the entire container or only the portion necessary for the determination of the container is transparent. Also, attach a sample identification number /2 to one side of this microbrake)/θ. Here, in each row of judgment containers of microbrake) /3 as shown in the figure,
Number them /4', /3, and 16.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a part of the particle aggregation determination device according to the present invention. A plurality of microplates /θ shown in FIG. 3 are stacked upside down so that the opening of each determination container // faces downward, and is mounted on the microplate supply device 17. This supply bag @/7 has four plate guides /za, /zasu, /IC that are fixed to the main body of the particle aggregation determination device (not shown).
, /I (accommodate and hold with 3, this plate guide 1ga ~
A pair of stoppers provided below /J d /9 a,
/9 Lock by b.

The four plate guides/I a7/It d have an L-shaped cross section and are parallel to each other and stand upright to slidably hold the microplate between these four plate guides. . The microplate 10 is attached to the plate guide so that its sample identification number can be seen through the gap between the plate guide /J a and tg b. The stoppers /9a, /91) extend along the axial direction at the arm portion 2Da.

〃b, and there is a rotating automatic 1.
.

The arm portions 20a and 20g are pivoted at the center and connected to a drive mechanism (not shown) driven by the plate supply drive circuit 1, and are moved against the springs na and nb, respectively, as shown by the arrows.
Rotate b. Stotsuba /9 a, /9
When the arm rotates b and releases the microplate, f! forms an opening through which the microplates stacked below the plate guide can pass. l! ,! Microplays B and B are dropped one by one onto the conveyor bell) and placed thereon.

It is assumed that this conveyor belt 27 is driven by a conveyor belt drive circuit 241 which supplies a power signal through gears, rollers, etc. connected in the direction of arrow A in the figure. On this conveyor belt 2F, a large number of pairs of parallel set members xa and 2sb for holding micro-freights lθ are provided perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the conveyor belt. The distance R between the set members na and 2sb is made to have a width equal to or slightly wider than the length in the longitudinal direction of the side surface on which the sample identification number is attached to the microplate. Also, the holding surface of the other setting member Xa is placed at a distance W2 upstream from the surface of the one setting member 25b that holds the microplate, and the distance between the setting member 2Aa and the W-piece is adjusted. and the set members 26b are placed facing each other. Conveyor bell with these dimensions) 2? A large number of set members are provided on the top.

Note that since the conveyor bell 23 is used in an atmosphere where reagents and the like are placed around it, it is desirable that it be made of a material with high chemical resistance and sufficient elastic strength.

Further, depending on the material, the set member may be integrally molded on the surface of the conveyor belt.

The microplate supply drive circuit 2/and the conveyor belt drive circuit 24I must be connected together to the control circuit, and this control circuit can be used as a programming fund for the entire apparatus.
Connect to PUn. Therefore, the microplate supply drive circuit n and the conveyor belt drive circuit 21 (for example, a conveyor belt which receives a predetermined control signal from the 3PU and is controlled based on the signal) 23 can be conveyed continuously or intermittently. Transport bell) 2? At a predetermined position on the downstream side in the conveyance direction, there is a humidity sensor section 3θ for measuring the humidity state in and around the microplate/θ determination container// (not shown), and a hydrophilic treatment section 31 on the roughly downstream side. will be established.

A number reading section 32 is placed on the side of the transport belt B of the hydrophilic treatment section 3 so that the sample identification number 12 of the microplate transported to this section can be read.

The number reading section 32 and the humidity sensor section 3θ are stored in the memory 33.
Connect to. This memory 33 stores the read information of the number reading section 32 and various information of the humidity sensor section 3θ, and also stores an address command circuit (not shown) and the CPU 27.
The information is continuously output based on various commands of the CPU.
A display device 3S is connected to 27 via a display drive circuit 3S, and a printer n is connected via a printer drive circuit 36 to display and print various information stored in the memory 33. The microplate thus conveyed through the humidity sensor section 3θ and the hydrophilic treatment section 3/ is roughly conveyed downstream, is turned over at a predetermined point, and after receiving the sample and reagent dispensed, is photometrically measured. It is transported to a system and a predetermined aggregation determination is performed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the humidity sensor section in FIG. q cut along the conveyance direction of the conveyor belt. The figure shows a state in which the microplate 10 is held on the humidity sensor section by the cellar F members 25a and nb on the conveyor belt n. The conveyor belt n is provided with an opening larger than the range of each determination container // of the micro play) 10. Assuming that the distance between the outermost walls of the judgment container 13 and lB along the conveyance direction is W3 as shown in the figure, the distance W4 of the opening hoof of the conveyor belt in the conveyance direction is also slightly wider than w3. The width of this opening p in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction is also set to be larger than the distance of the outermost wall of the determination container of the outermost value in this direction. The microplate 10 is placed on the opening ψ of the conveyor belt.
It is mounted by setting members BFL and Bb so that its center coincides with the center of this opening.

A sensor box Itl is arranged below the conveyor belt so as to be in contact with the conveyor belt. The sensor box is fixed to the main body of the device. The part of the sensor box shoe that comes into contact with the conveyor belt is made almost parallel to the conveyance direction as shown in the figure, and the end thereof is bent downward to form a belt running part Q. The conveyor heald is held between the arranged roller lags 3 and the conveyor belt is prevented from lifting when it runs over the sensor box.
The interior of the sensor box is sealed to ensure smooth running. The roller 4I3 is provided on the side of the conveyor belt so as not to come into contact with the microplate being conveyed.

Note that the belt running portion 12 may have a substantially curved shape such that its end portion is bent downward. At the bottom of such a sensor box 4t/, a humidity sensor is provided surrounded by a protective cover 15 made of grid-like or mesh-like plastic (acrylic), metal wire (aluminum), or the like. As this humidity sensor, it is possible to use a ceramic humidity sensor that has been developed in recent years, such as Humiceram (trade name) as a typical example. Alternatively, a dew condensation sensor (trade name) used to prevent condensation on a VTR cylinder may be used. Open a hole on one side of the sensor box 41/,
A dehumidifier a is provided via the tube 4. Furthermore, a hole is made in the other side of the sensor box, and a dryer St is provided through the tube sθ.

Connect the humidity sensor to the reference acid circuit 5s. Further, the oscillator 56 is connected to the reference resistance circuit 5s via a capacitor g. The output of the reference resistance circuit 55 is supplied to one input terminal of each of the comparison circuits 59 + 41) + 6/ via the rectifier circuit sg, and the power supply voltage +VCC is supplied to the other input terminal of these comparison circuits through the resistance R circuit. , supplies the reference value divided by R2 and R3. Comparison circuit 9. ω, the output of AI is supplied to the CPU 27 via the memory 33. Further, a dehumidifier and a dryer 51 are connected to the CPU 1 via a control circuit n.

According to the humidity sensor section 30 having such a configuration, the oscillator j
A predetermined oscillation output from 4 has a DC component removed by a capacitor 9, and is supplied to a series circuit of the humidity sensor and a reference resistance circuit 55. The voltage divided to a predetermined value by the voltage dividing resistance means in the reference resistance circuit 5S is supplied to the rectifier circuit sg, rectified by the rectifier consisting of an OP amplifier and a diode, and converted into a DC voltage. This DC voltage is compared in a comparator circuit 61 by means of a power source voltage +ycc and a resistor made of resistors R to R3, thereby detecting humidity at three points.

This humidity information is sent to the CPU 27 via the memory 33. Based on this humidity information, the 0PU 27 performs arithmetic processing on the humidity information in the permissible range for each determination container set in advance. That is, when humidity higher than a preset humidity is detected, the control circuit I drives the dehumidifier q to remove the humidity inside the sensor box to the outside, and the control circuit also controls the drive of the dryer j/. Then, dry humidified air is sent into the sensor box to control the humidity inside the sensor box to a predetermined value or less. Note that the number of humidity sensor pots in the sensor box 4Il is not limited to one, and a plurality of humidity sensor pots may be arranged in a desired arrangement. According to such a humidity sensor section 30, the humidity in each determination container of the microplate transported by the transport belt n can be made equal to or lower than a preset humidity.

The second figure is a diagram showing the hydrophilic treatment section 31 of the first figure, cut in the transport direction. The hydrophilic treatment section 3/is carried out on the downstream side of the humidity/sensor section 3θ by the conveyor belt) 2? Provided below. In this hydrophilic treatment section 31, the same hydrophilic treatment is performed on n determination containers arranged in n horizontal rows of the microplate, so only one determination container will be explained in the figure. N soft members are provided below the conveyor belt corresponding to n judgment containers lined up in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction A.The soft members are made of finely porous sponge, soft rubber, sponge, etc. It consists of a conical part α that should come into contact with the conical bottom of the judgment container and a cylindrical part 67 that should come into contact with the side wall of the judgment container.The conical part is attached to the judgment container as shown in the figure. It should have an inclination angle equivalent to the inclination angle of the bottom surface on which the step L is provided.It is preferable that the shape of this conical part be the same as the shape of the bottom surface of the judgment container, but in normal use , it is sufficient to have a conical shape.The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 67 is equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the judgment container.A piston member is formed by branching such a soft member 6S into a T-shape via 7 langes a. 6q.7 A through hole (not shown) is made in the center of the flange a.The piston member 69 is slidably fitted into the cylinder portion 71 of the container 7θ provided to surround the soft member β. The inside of the side branched portion of the piston member t9 is made hollow to form a flow path 72, and the flow paths 72 and 7
Connect with the through hole of lunge a. The flow path 72 is connected to a joint 73,
It is connected to a pump section 75 via a tube 741, and the tube 76 of this pump section is further inserted into a reagent container 77 containing a reagent for hydrophilic treatment. In addition, the piston member 6
A pin 7g is made to protrude from the side of the other end of the eccentric cam 79, and this pin 7g is slidably fitted into the guide groove lo of the eccentric cam 79. As shown in FIG. 7, a protrusion 1/ is provided in the guide groove lθ so that the cross-sectional shape of the guide groove gθ is wider on the inside than the surface of the eccentric cam, and the tip of the pin 7g is inserted into this inner part. The system 79 is connected via a drive shaft g2 to a drive section g3 consisting of a gear and a motor (not shown). The drive section g3 and the pump section 7S are connected to the control circuit. According to the hydrophilic treatment section having such a configuration, when the row of each determination container of Microplay)/θ is conveyed above the soft member 5, a control signal is sent to the pump section 7j by the control circuit, A predetermined amount of reagent is transferred from the reagent container 77 to the tube 74, 741 and the flow path 72.
The reagent is delivered to the soft member tS through the reagent, and the pores of the soft member 5 are filled with the reagent. At the same time, the control circuit operates the drive unit 12 to rotate the eccentric cam 79.
Moving the piston member 6q northward via the bottle 7g,
After the soft member 6S is brought into close contact with the determination container 16 and the reagent is attached to the inner wall of the determination container, the piston member 69 is moved downward to cause the soft member 6S to escape from the determination container/6 and reach a position below the conveyor belt. lower it. Therefore, the reagent is deposited in a thin film on the inner surface of the determination container. Note that the soft members may be arranged in such a manner that the same number of soft members as the number of determination containers are arranged below each determination container of the microplate. Alternatively, an independent drive mechanism may be provided for each row, and the apu 27 may be programmed to selectively perform hydrophilic treatment with a reagent on each row of determination containers.

Figures 1 and 4 (4) are cross-sectional views of the tip of the piston member shown in Figure 1, and Figure 1 (B) is an external side view of the piston member shown in Figure 6. The tip/end of the piston member 69 is integrally formed with a substantially conical 1g5rs and a cylinder as shown in the figure.
A reagent supply section t7 consisting of an IS system is constructed, and a flow path 7.2 in the piston member 3 is connected to a flow path 1 provided in the conical part tS and the cylindrical part 4. The external appearance of the reagent supply %f7 of this piston member is as shown in Figure G (CB), and has numerous fine openings t9 on its surface.

This aperture t9 can take various forms for the substantially conical portion 5 and the cylindrical portion 6. For example, the apertures 9 having the same diameter may be uniformly provided over the entire surfaces of the conical portion 5 and the cylindrical portion f4, or the number of holes may be increased in either one. In addition to this distribution of apertures, the diameters of the apertures may be varied. The state of these openings is appropriately determined by the thickness of the viscous thin film of the reagent used and the soft member 6S. For example, it is conceivable to make the openings radial or concentric with respect to the central axis of the piston member. Note that the reagent supply portion formed at the tip of the piston member may be formed only in a substantially conical portion.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of another example of the particle aggregation determining device according to the present invention. The same parts as in FIG. 6 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions of similar structures and operations will be omitted. Microplay)/θ is placed on the conveyor belt n so that each determination container has an opening at the top. A piston member 69 is placed above the microplate in the hydrophilic treatment section 31.
to hold the soft member q/. A hemispherical protrusion 92 is formed at the tip of the piston member 69, and a soft member 9 is formed around this protrusion.
1 will be provided. Such a soft member is immersed in advance in a container (not shown) containing a reagent for hydrophilic treatment to impregnate the inside of the soft member with the reagent. The piston member≦9 allows the soft member ql to be inserted into and removed from each determination container of the microplate when each determination container of the microplate is transported to a predetermined position by a drive device (not shown). Even with the hydrophilic treatment section having such a configuration, a thin film of reagent can be formed on the inner wall of each determination container of the microplate.In addition, when such a hydrophilic treatment section is applied to the particle aggregation determination device according to the present invention, , the microplate is arranged with the opening of each determination container facing upward, and the plate guy shown in FIG. 1 is placed above the conveyor belt so as to be in contact with the microplate.

In this case, for example, the distance between the running parts provided at both ends of the sensor box is made approximately equal to W3 shown in FIG.
The effect will be further enhanced if a suitable elastic member is attached to the surface of the running section that comes into contact with the microplate to seal the interior of the sensor box and determination container from the outside air. In addition, when placing the microplate on the conveyor belt with the opening of the determination container facing upward, the hydrophilic treatment section shown in FIG. 6 may be used as is above the conveyor belt. .

As is clear from the above explanation, according to the particle aggregation determination device according to the present invention, water droplets such as washing water adhering to a microplate are detected in advance, the humidity is lowered to a predetermined level or less, and each determination container of the microplate is made hydrophilic. Since it forms a uniform thin film of the reactive reagent, it can create a uniform base layer of particles on the inclined bottom of the judgment container that forms the agglomeration pattern, and prevents aggregation failure, aggregation pattern turning over, aggregation pattern slipping off, etc. Since a clear agglomeration pattern can be obtained without causing any problems, the aggregation pattern can be determined extremely accurately. Furthermore, since washing water does not mix with the test liquid, accurate aggregation determination can be made.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and many modifications and changes are possible.

For example, by arranging the humidity sensor section below the microplate supply device, the length of the device's conveyance system can be shortened. In addition, a humidity sensor section is provided downstream of the hydrophilic treatment section in the transport direction to detect the humidity of the thin film formed by the reagent formed on the inner wall of the determination container, and perform predetermined humidity control to control the thickness of this thin film layer. You can also do that. Further, the hydrophilic liquid is not limited to a reagent, and any other liquid may be used as long as it does not adversely affect the measurement.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an example of a particle aggregation determination container used in a particle aggregation determination device, and Figure 2 (4) is a particle aggregation determination container shown in Figure 1 and dispensing the test liquid. Figure 1 (CB) is a cross-sectional view diagrammatically showing the aggregation pattern formed on the bottom of the container for determining particle aggregation, and Figure 2 (C) is a diagram showing the dispensing nozzle for determining particle aggregation. A plan view diagrammatically showing the agglomeration pattern formed on the bottom surface, a diagrammatic cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the part PyQ in FIGS. 3 is an external perspective view showing a general microplate for determining particle aggregation applied to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a part of the particle aggregation determining device according to the present invention, and FIG. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the humidity sensor part in Figure 4 cut away, Figure 6 is a diagram showing the hydrophilic treatment part in Figure 4, and Figure 7 is a cross section showing the eccentric cam and pin in Figure 6. 1(4) is a sectional view of the tip of the piston member shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 1(B) is an external side view of the piston member shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 9 is a particle according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of another example of the hydrophilic treatment section of the aggregation determination device. 10... Microplate, /3, /g, B, /6°° Container for determining particle aggregation, 17...
・Supplier, na-nd... plate guide, /9
a, 19 b... Stopper, 〃... Microplate supply drive circuit, B... Conveyor belt/2g...
Transport heald drive circuit, BeL, Bb...set members,
TS...control circuit, 1...CPU,...? θ...Humidity sensor section, 31... Hydrophilic treatment section, 32... Number reading section, 33... Memory s 35... Display device, n
...Printer, Q...Opening W6, 'l/...Sensor box, Item...Humidity sensor, a...Dehumidifier, S
l...Dryer, SS...Standard resistance circuit, Sl...
Oscillator, sg... rectifier circuit, review, J, 4/...
... Comparison circuit, R engineering. R2, R3...Resistance, 65...Soft member, 7j...
- Pump section, r3... drive section. Patent Applicant: Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. Engraving of the drawings (no changes to the content) Figure 8 (A) <B> No. 9F4 Procedural amendment 1925, 1925, 1925, 1925, 1920, 1920, 1995, patent application No. 10 !07/No. 2, Name of the invention Particle aggregation determination device 3, Relationship with the case of the person making the amendment Patent applicant (OS)) Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. 7, Contents of the amendment (as attached) No. 1--No. I will hand over Figure 9. Procedural Amendment Document Showa 3 ≦ Year 10 Month Day 1, Indication of the case Showa Year Patent Application No. 1 Ozoti No. 2 Name of the invention Particle aggregation determination device 3, Person making the amendment Relationship with the case Patent applicant (037) Olympus Kogaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. Page 1, line 3 to line 200, line 19 of the specification of Otsu are amended as follows (Claim 5 is added). [2 Claim 1] A particle aggregation determination device for determining a particle aggregation pattern formed in a reaction vessel from immunological agglutination reaction particles, wherein at least a part of the bottom surface of the reaction vessel is an inclined surface. , a particle aggregation determining device characterized by comprising means for detecting the humidity state within the reaction vessel. 2. Claim 1, characterized in that the inclined surface of the reactor is formed with uneven and/or concave steps.
Particle aggregation determination device as described in 2. 3. The first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, before dispensing the sample or reagent into the reaction container, means for forming a uniform film of hydrophilic liquid on the bottom surface of the reaction container is provided.
The particle aggregation determination device according to item 1 or 2. Spring The method is characterized in that the means for keeping the bottom surface of the reaction container in a constant humidity state includes a humidity sensor that detects the humidity on the bottom surface of the container, and a moisture removal device that operates in accordance with the detection output of this humidity sensor. A particle aggregation determination device according to claim 3. 5. The reaction container has a conical sloped bottom surface with a plurality of regular steps concentrically continuous with the top thereof as the center, and microplates each having a large number of these particle aggregation determination containers arranged one by one. A supply device placed on the conveyor belt, a humidity sensor that detects the humidity in the particle aggregation determination container of the microplate placed on the conveyor belt, and a humidity sensor that compares the detected humidity with a predetermined humidity value. , a dehumidifier and a dryer that lower the humidity in the particle aggregation determination container to a predetermined value when the humidity is higher than the predetermined humidity value, and a uniform hydrophilic reagent on the inner wall of the particle aggregation determination container. A particle aggregation determination device according to claim 1, characterized in that the particle aggregation determination device is configured to form a clear aggregation pattern on the inclined bottom surface of the particle aggregation determination container. . ” 2. Page 9, lines 1 to /J' of the specification are corrected as follows. ``The present invention provides a particle agglutination determination bag for determining a particle aggregation pattern formed in a reaction container by an immunological agglutination reaction (herein, at least a part of the bottom of the reaction container is an inclined surface, and the inside of the reaction container is The device is characterized by being provided with means for detecting the humidity state of the device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a particle aggregation determination device for determining a particle aggregation pattern formed by an immunological agglutination reaction, at least a part of the bottom surface is an inclined surface, and this inclined surface has a convex and/or concave step. 1. A particle aggregation determination device comprising means for forming a uniform film of a hydrophilic liquid on the bottom surface of the reaction container before dispensing a sample or a reagent into the reaction container. 2. Particles according to claim 1, characterized in that, before forming a uniform film of hydrophilic liquid on the bottom surface of the reaction container, a means for bringing the bottom surface of the reaction container into a constant humidity state is provided. Agglutination determination device. 3. The means for keeping the bottom surface of the reaction container in a constant humidity state is provided with a humidity sensor that detects the humidity on the bottom surface of the container, and a moisture removal means that operates according to the detection output of this humidity sensor. The particle aggregation determination device according to claim 2, wherein the angle is 4°. The reaction container has a conical sloped bottom surface with a plurality of regular steps concentrically continuous with the top of the reaction container as the center, and each microplate t in which a large number of these particle aggregation determination containers are arranged is placed one by one. a supply device placed on a conveyor belt, a humidity sensor that detects humidity in a particle aggregation determination container of a microplate placed on the conveyor belt, and a humidity sensor that compares the detected humidity with a predetermined humidity value, a dehumidifier and a dryer that reduce the humidity in the particle aggregation determination container to a predetermined value when the humidity is higher than the predetermined humidity value;
means for forming a uniform film of a hydrophilic reagent on the inner wall of the particle aggregation determination container, and configured to form a clear aggregation pattern on the inclined bottom surface of the particle agglutination determination container. A particle aggregation determination device according to claim 1, characterized in that: